Zip It Up

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”James 1:19

Has someone made fun of you or said hurtful things to you and you just want so bad to scream or tell them off? It may be a family member or a friend but still it is best to take it to the Lord and remain calm.That is human nature giving you those emotions and it is not God’s plan. 

Live at peace as much as possible and give difficult people and situations to the Lord. Keep your heart and mind centered on things above. 

Be still and be quiet are the best things to do and pray. 

PRAYER: Father I choose to guard my heart from evil intent that the enemy tries to tempt me to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Learn By Your Mistakes Then Move On

 "A wise man learns more from his enemies than a fool from his friends."Proverbs 13:20

Oh my goodness how I wish I could master the art of moving on after mistakes. You mess up you admit your fault then you are to keep looking to Jesus to guide you forward. 

Have you felt beat up by life or even ridiculed? You don’t want to be a fool and you want to be used by God where he has you in life. 

So today just breathe in breathe out and talk to God in prayer. 

PRAYER: Lord help me to stay on the path you have me letting distractions go by the wayside. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Try Being Still

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

 

Most people seem to not know how to simply sit still and do nothing unless it involves their phone or TV. It is a good habit to try to develop calmness and not filling up every moment with activity and noise. 

Clear your mind and your calendar and try to relax. Being still means letting random thoughts that don’t bring glory to God go and filling your mind with good things. 

Our culture seems to want to keep people constantly on the go and you can almost feel bad if you don’t have a job title or project you are working on. You can’t hear God when you constantly are on the go. Just be still. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me learn to just be still not try to run everyone’s life or get in their face. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Don’t Do it!

”Gossip betrays confidence, so avoid a person that talks too much”. Proverbs 20:19

Do you gossip? Hmm. Innocently sharing information you don’t really know is true or not is gossip. Gossip is poison. 

If you have ever been hurt by gossip you know how it hurts. Gossip causes all sorts of problems and does not bring glory to God. If a person shared a confidence with you keep it as that. 

The Navy had or maybe still had a motto ‘loose lips sink ships’ meaning just that if you share info you had no business sharing it could cause war. Let your mouth be still. Sit peacefully. Be quiet. 

PRAYER: Help me not be a participant in idle chatter or be a busy body. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Turn Worry To Worship

 "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

In one breath I say Lord help me not judge them in another breath I find myself judging. In one breath I know God is in control but yet in another I stress over so much stuff. 

As hard as it is try praising God when you are tempted to start worrying. Try it right now, shout to God with a voice of triumph. Don’t let the enemy defeat you and make you stress over your problems. Say Lord thank you for what you have purposed for my children and grandchildren will come to pass. 

Stop fighting the battle on a human level. Say positive things out of your mouth, don’t let your words defeat you. Start praising God when you are tempted to be in anguish. 

PRAYER: Thanks God you are working. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Do You Have A Foundation?

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11

When the rug is pulled out from under you so to speak who do you turn to or what do you turn to?

Think back to the horrendous day of grief and shock 25 years ago when the unthinkable happened and the World Trade Center came tumbling down and The Pentagon was attacked. A mind numbing event gripped not only the nation but the world as sheer hatred was aimed at America. 

Christ is the only place to turn and the only firm foundation to stand on in times like these. You just ask yourself why God but do not blame Him. All things happen for a reason and some are not easy to hear about or witness. If you have not made Jesus your foundation and asked Him into your heart why not do it now. 

PRAYER: Father your light shines bright through the greatest darkness. You are the only foundation. I pray for evil hearts and lethargic hearts to turn to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Do You Need To Make Peace With Someone?

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

Has a misunderstanding occurred between you and a friend or family member maybe misspoken hurtful degrading words that stung bad? You know God wants reconciliation but don’t know how to start the process. 

Probably everyone has had some issue in life where it caused separation between relatives, co workers, neighbors whatever the case. It hurts when a person doesn’t want anything to do with you especially when claiming to know Christ. 

Take a moment and confess any sins on your heart. Repent if you know you are wrong. Shut all doors to the enemy Satan in your life that if they remain open will cause junk to continue and fester. Satan is the divider not God. 

PRAYER: Father I need you. Thanks for people you have brought into my life and help me to overlook faults and be in prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stop Comparing And Belittling Yourself

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

Do you have issues with comparisons to others? In this world on social media posts it can be easy to be discouraged and dissatisfied. 

First Satan is behind all that. Every person is unique and has a different gifting. As for looking at someone’s beauty or material possessions once again you don’t know the whole story and why should it matter anyway. 

Be happy with what God has done for you don’t let others beat you down or make you feel little and insignificant. You don’t know what everyone’s story is so go forward and live you life for Jesus seeking ways to help others. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for each day of life even when things don’t go as I wish I still praise you for you have a plan that is greater than mine. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Letting Things Go

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."Matthew 11:28-30

No matter what it is sometimes it is better for all parties involved to let things go and not try to be right. Give your concerns and those you are concerned about to God. 

What has you troubled today? Have you been misunderstood? Is your heart broken and you feel the pain will never cease? 

Whatever it is know the enemy Satan is the only one glorified if he can keep you in that unproductive rut and wrong thinking. You give your concerns to God get on your knees and talk to God. Let Him work in the hearts of the person you have been praying over. That’s it. Go have a good day. Be productive for the kingdom. That kingdom might be right there in your own home. 

PRAYER: Inside I at times am weeping over issues I can do nothing about. I know Lord you hear my prayers and are working. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Twenty Five Years

 

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."2 Corinthians 3:17

It is hard to believe 25 years ago today at around 8:47 CST America was attacked by a foreign country who hates freedom. You walk on egg shells talking about it to some people which blows my mind as it was outright terrorism those who hated America and what we stood for. 

Don’t ever assume just because you are in the land of the free because of the brave you are out of the woods so to speak. Other events such as the Ft Hood mass shooting of 2010 proved the enemy can even infiltrate our ranks to carry out pure evil. 

We are to pray for our enemies and be kind to them but to also be wise. There are reasons for boundaries, rules, laws and even in the Bible these exist. Today stop what you are doing and reflect on that horrible day. Thousands lost their lives. Always be in prayer. 

PRAYER: Father help those of us in America never take freedom for granted. Help people hear and know the truth. Silence anyone who spreads evil and lies that would hurt our country. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Crazy Prayers

‘Everything is possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23

Do you ever pray prayers that if people heard you would think you were a nut case? I have. Bold prayers where you are believing for breakthrough or something only God could do. 

Not a name it and claim it thing but sincerely believing God is at work and you don’t know how He will do but then His timing is perfect and His ways beyond any of us finding out. 

You know God heard you and what you are praying isn’t crazy it is having faith and trusting God still is God of breakthrough and miracles. Do you believe? 

PRAYER: Father you know what I need and when I need it so I trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hurting Hearts

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." – Psalm 34:18 

Everyone has experience heartache before for various reasons. No one is immune. Maybe the reason for your heartache seems trivial compared to say someone who just buried their child. But all pain is real and God cares. 

What has your heart hurting? When you hurt if you can try to find a way to help another person you too will receive a blessing and maybe joy. 

Whatever burden you may be carrying try to find a trusted friend or family member to share it with. I say ‘trusted’ because you don’t want to share details of something then hear about it in a gossip circle. In Moms in Prayer we have a motto ‘what’s prayed in the group stays in the group’. 

PRAYER: I pray for those people who need a prayer partner to share life with. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I’ve Never Prayed For Robots Before

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians  4:6

Do you have an active prayer life? Do you know you can pray for anything? In the movie ‘War Room’ Miss Clara character played by actress Karen Abercrombie had a true heart for crying out to God in a literal prayer closet she affectionately called her ‘War Room’ as it is there she went to war against demons of darkness and cried out to God for so many things. 

She later had a small role in the film ‘The Forge’ where she made the comment which is today’s title. It was about a factory needing to meet quota to win a contract and yes Miss Clara cried out for the robots and the people who programmed them. 

What or who do you need to go to prayer for? Is prayer an after thought or is it vital everyday? There are prayer apps that you can get to help you. You can journal prayers or put them on sticky notes on your closet wall if you have a space for your own ‘prayer closet’ war room. Now go have a prayerful day. 

PRAYER: Father when my heart is groaning or breaking help me not forgot to go to you in prayer. I lift up all those I pray for who need you in their life or back in their life. You know who they are. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: I highly recommend both movies I mentioned in this devotion. ‘War Room’ and ‘The Forge’ both products from The Kendrick Brothers and Sony Pictures. 

Work Hard

 “Every man also to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them, to accept his lot and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God”Ecclesiastes 5:19

Labor Day was first celebrated in the US in 1894. Started by trade unions and labor movements to celebrate work. Work is good. If you don’t work you don’t eat simple as that. 

Colossians 3:23 says "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Labor Day itself is a secular holiday celebrating work designed by God. Imagine had God not put ideas in man’s brain about how to build and create things what a shambles we would be in. 

As believers you serve others through your work. The ability to work is a gift from God. Jobs are a gift from God. Initially after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden came toil but all in all mankind can prosper for himself and help others through his labors thanks to God. So if you have a job be thankful. 

PRAYER: Thanks for each and every hard working person who makes up the labor force and for prospering America so we in turn can help the less fortunate. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hit Pause-Ponder God

 "I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways."Psalm 119:15

Ah the good ole days. For many of us over 50 we can understand that. Before technology took over and everyone was carrying their portable life saving device everywhere, aka cell phone. Maybe it is time for a pause of your life and reflecting and pondering on what God has done on your life. 

No televisions, no phones, no gaming devices, no checking social media  just you and God maybe your Bible and a notebook. Think of the blessings in your life and push away any negative thinking that might try to interfere with pondering good things. 

Try to sit and be still and give thanks. 

PRAYER: Father I choose to eliminate distractions to include distracting negative thinking and rest in your peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Upscale Jesus-Say What?

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."Romans 5:8

Humans like to be made to feel special treated like royalty in their pampered upscale establishments and brand name clothing but will you find Jesus hob nobbing there amongst the elite and famous. Yes and no. 

Jesus first is everywhere.  He is with the homeless man under the bridge. He is with the widow who doesn’t know which way to turn. He is with the prostitute. He is with the alcoholic. He is with the drunkard. 

Sometimes the more you have materially the less you care to need or want a relationship with God but he is always knocking on the door of your heart you just have to answer. (See Revelation 3:20). It is God who gives the power to get wealth just don’t forget to share it with others and those less fortunate. If you are blessed don’t spend it all frivolously but share with others. 

PRAYERS: Father I give you my life help me to listen and follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Patience

Wait for the Lord;   be strong and take heart

 and wait for the Lord.Psalm 27:14

Just how do you get patience? It is so very hard to not jump ahead of God’s plans and orchestrate your own but so very heart warming when you have waited and see a miraculous result. 

What do you need patience for? God does care and His ways are greater than yours so just be still. When you get overly anxious to play God it could backfire and make things worse. 

What are you believing God for? God’s ways and timing are not ours. Be still. Trust God. Hang on. 

PRAYER: Lord how marvelous are your ways and I just need help navigating through each day you have blessed me with. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

How To ‘Hear’ God

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Does God talk to you? He does to me through the word of God. Pick it up sometime. Almost everyone has a copy somewhere and if you don’t let me know I will send you a Bible. Start reading in Psalms. 

You have to get in a daily habit of picking up God’s word and ‘hiding’ it in your heart. It is powerful  because The Holy Spirit can bring conviction of right and wrong, good and evil but only through regular time in scripture. 

Even when you don’t feel like it get up and get on your knees and cry out to God. Don’t allow the devil to make you into a spiritual basket case. Stand firm and stay strong. 

PRAYER: Today Lord help me to make someone’s day better. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Get A Grip

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.Hebrews 10:23

Many things in life can be stressors. None of us are Superman or Superwoman and we have to live one day at a time breathing in, breathing out. 

You can push yourself to the limit and let your mind imagine wrong things so it is essential, yes vital, to relax let go and let God take control not as your co pilot but as The Pilot, numero uno. 

How are you doing today? Have you asked Jesus to take control of your life? Leave the judging and everything else  to Him and be at peace. 

PRAYER: Father thank you for all the blessings in my life. Help me use them to bless those around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note- I got inspired on this devotion ft watching the 20/20 Special recently on The Life Of Dolly Parton. 

Being Misunderstood Or Judged Hurts

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."1 Peter 5:7

If anyone has never been misunderstood or judged for something then you are in the minority. You only answer to one person that being Jesus your Lord and savior. Make sure your heart is right with Him.  You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Talk to God. 

It really hurts when a family member falls into the category of judging you or thinking you are judgmental. The enemy Satan seeks to destroy relationships with friends and family so be on your guard and recognize it as such. Only the Holy Spirit can change a persons heart and mind. No amount of begging, pleading, or trying to prove yourself works. 

My friend stop where you are and ask God to reveal anything in your life that needs attention. Don’t compare yourself to others and fall into Satan’s trap. Have you heard the phrase “you are so Heavenly minded you are no earthly good?”Try to stay away from behavior that makes you seem super Holy. Only God is Holy. 

PRAYER: Father help me be still. Help me stay off social media. Help me to continue to pray and not lose heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.